Author of the article: Galina Davydova, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Many centuries ago, our ancestors who migrated to this harsh land, have managed not only to survive, but also to preserve their traditions, customs and their original centuries-old culture.
Their rich experience of survival in the harsh climatic conditions, in the coldest corner of the earth was multiplied and passed on to their descendants. Our ancestors steeled themselves against the sixty-degree frosts. They've learned to have a creative approach to their household, invented special houses that preserve warmth, dressed warmly and, with their flexible mind, they came up with different ways of getting food and supplies for the future and of making their storage.
One of their most interesting crafts is the winter ice fishing. It was promoted by the lakes and rivers that were very rich with fish of all kinds.
In Yakutia, the ancient traditions were preserved by the folk and ever since then they have become an integral part of life in rural areas. This richest experience: culture, traditions and customs - passes on from generation to generation. Thanks to this, the age-old traditional craft (winter fishing) does not lose its relevance even nowadays.
Dear reader. in his photo report I'd like to tell you about Munkha- the ice fishing tradition, presented by my home-folks. When the strong frosts havent struck yet, and that's at a thirty-degree below zero cold weather, when the ice gets to an acceptable thickness (30-40 cm.), so that it will be able to withstand a lot of people standing on it, this is the sign that the long-awaited period of winter ice fishing - Munkha has come. And this is truly a real feast of communication between man and nature, in which the man occupies a special place - he is the earner, the hunter and the owner. The role of the masculine authority in the society and in the family is great and relevant in the education of the younger generation. Maybe this is the essence of conservation and of survival of my folk in the modern society?
Photos and text by Galina Davydova
